"Good Lord! Why haven't you told me this before? Call Isobel! No! she's at church! Get Ranny! Somebody must go after the child!"
Quin laid a quieting hand on her arm, which was shaking as if with the palsy.
"Don't get excited," he urged. "Somebody did go after her last night, and brought her home."
"But where is she now? Where is that contemptible Phipps? I'll have him arrested! Are you sure Nellie is safe?"
"I left her safe and sound at the Martels' half an hour ago. Will you listen while I tell you all about it?"
As quietly as he could he told the story, interrupted again and again by Madam's hysterical outbursts. When he had finished she struggled to her feet.
"The child is stark mad!" she cried. "I am going after her this instant."
"She won't see you," warned Quin.
"I'll show you whether she sees me or not! I am going to bring her home with me to-night. She's got to be protected against that scoundrel. Ring for the carriage!"
Quin did not move. "She said if any of you started after her you'd find her gone when you got there."